Collapsible cradle for automatic washers



Feb. 27, 1962 B. W. SORENSON ETAL COLLAPSIBLE CRADLE FOR AUTOMATIC WASHERS Filed Sept. 27. 1960 lA/Vl-A/TOPS 5/14 In sow/v.90

c0194 Df/VAOVPDI' 3,022,995 CQLLAPSEBLE CRADLE FOR AUTOMATIC WASHERS Bill Sorenson and Carl Denhardt, Jefferson, Iowa Fiied Sept. 27, 1960., Ser. No. 58,733 6 fiaims. (131. 269-55) Our invention relates to tools for servicing automatic washers and more particularly to a collapsible cradle that can be used to position an automatic washer for the servicing operation.

it is often necessary to gain access to the bottom and rearward portions of automatic washers for repair purposes. Because of the great weight of these Washing machines, it is extremely difficult to position the machines to effect the servicing operation. Cradle devices which assist in the overtuning of the machines have been devised to alleviate this problem, but these cradles usually require the services of at least two persons. Furthermore, these devices known to us invite damage to the machines as their normal operation permits the possible inadvertent removal of the washing machine from the cradle. The existing cradles are built ina sturdy and permanent manner to withstand the extreme weight of the machines but this rigid construction makes them very cumbersome to the serviceman who must carry the cradle to dwellings for maintenance purposes.

Therefore, the principal object of our invention is to provide a cradle for automatic washers which is collapsible and which can be compactly carried from point to point.

A further object of our invention is to provide a collapsible cradle for automatic washers that can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a collapsible cradle for automatic washers that will prevent the washer from inadvertently falling from the cradle device during the tipping movement of the cradle.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a collapsible cradle for automatic washers that will preserve the finish on the exterior surface of the washer.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a collapsible cradle for automatic washers that is economical of manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Our invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in our claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of our device showing the interrelation of the respective parts;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of our device taken when it is attached to an automatic washing machine just prior to the tipping operation;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of our device with the washer mounted thereon and the washer and our device being in tipped position; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of our device taken on line 44 of FIG. 1.

We have used the numerals and 12 to generally designate the two side frames of our device. Frames 1% and 12 are substantially identical in construction except that the positions of some of the elements on each of the frames are reversed as will be explained hereafter. Frames 10 and 12 are shown in FIG. 1 in a tipped position Which is also the position depicted in FIG. 3. Frame 10 is comprised of a plurality of elements including an elongated angle member 14. Angle member 16 is welded or otherwise secured to one end of angle 3,922,995 Patented 'Feb. 27, 1962 member 14 and-extends substantially at right angles therewith. One end of a flat elongated bar 18'is secured to the lower end of angle member 16 as viewed in FIG. 1. Bar 18 extends away from angle member 16 in the same vertical plane in which angle member 14 dwells. The portion 20 of bar 18 is straight and terminates in an arcuate portion 22 which in turn terminates in a straight protruding end portion 24. Bar 18 is welded or otherwise secured to the end of angle member 14 opposite to angle member 16. Bar 18 is so positioned with respect to angle member 14 that the end portion 24 thereof extends above angle member 14 as depicted in FIG. 1. It should also be noted that the straight portion 20 of bar 18 tends to converge toward angle member 14 and this phenomenon is clearly shown in FIG. 3 by the acute angle which exists between angle member 16 and the straight portion 20 of bar 18.

Hollow sleeve 26v is welded or otherwise secured to angle members 14 and 16 at their point of intersection. A'hollow sleeve 28 is welded or otherwise secured to angle member 16 at a point just removed from the point of connection between angle member 16 and bar 18. Hollow sleeve 30 is welded or otherwise secured. to angle.

connection between angle member 14 and bar 18. Eyelet 32 is welded or otherwise secured to angle member 16 at a point just above sleeve 28 as viewed in FIG. 1 and eyelet 34 may be secured in the same manner to angle member 14 near the midpoint of that angle member. The longitudinal axis of sleeves 26, 28 and 30 and the longitudinal axis of eyelets 32 and 34 are all perpendicular to the plane defined by the angle members 14 and 16 and bar 18. Handle 36 is welded or otherwise secured to angle member 16 and extends therefrom in a direction opposite to that of angle member 14. As viewed in FIG. I, handle 36 is positioned at a point just below the point of intersection of angle members 14 and 16. A bracket 38 is welded or otherwise secured to the lower edge portion of handle 36 at a point adjacent angle member 16, as viewed in FIG. 1. A strip of sponge rubber 40 can be glued or otherwise secured to the upper surface of angle member 14 as viewed in FIG. 1.

Frame-12 is comprised of elements 14A, 16A, 18A, 20A, 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A, 32A, 34A, 36A, 38A, and 411A and each of these elements is identical to the previously described elements 14, 16, 18,20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 3S and 40, respectively. It should be noted that the positions of identical elements in the two side frames 1% and 12 have been reversed so that the two side frames form a complementary pair. Thus, for example, sleeves 26 and 26A extend toward eachother and are in axial alignment with each other when the two side frames 10 and 12 are symmetrically positioned in parallel planes.

Rods 26B, 28B and 31113 are all of the samelength and are capable of having their ends slidably inserted within the sleeves 26 and 26A, 28 and 28A, and 30 and 36A, respectively. Springs 32B and 34B are shorter than rods 26B, 28B and 3113 and are adapted to be secured to and extend between eyelets 32 and 32A and 34 and 34A, respectively. Each of the brackets 8 and 38A has an elongated slot that is adapted toreceive a belt 42 which has free ends 44 and 46. Conventional buckle 48 is secured in any convenient manner to end 44 of belt 42 and the ends 44 and 46 of the belt should be located between the handles 36 and 36A so that a loop is formed between the two ends.

The'normal operation of our device is as follows: In its dismantled condition, our device can be kept in a relatively fiat container with the two side frames 10 and 12 engaging one another and the rods 26B, 28B and 30B, and springs 32B and 34B located in any convenient posispaaess tion. Upon receiving a call to service a washing machine 50 which has a bottom portion 52 and a rear portion 54, an operator can easily pick up our device, carry it in any vehicle or truck, and can easily carry it through doorways or like. To assemble our device, the 'serviceman eeds only to place rods 26B, 28B and 30B in the axially aligned sleeves 26 and 26A, 28 and 28A, and 30 and 30A, respectively. Spring 3213 can then be stretched to have its respective ends hooked in eyelets 32 and 32A. Spring 343 can be similarly stretched to have its respective ends hooked in the eyelets 34 and 34A. Since springs 32B and 34B are shorter than rods 26B, 28B and 3013, the springs will necessarily be under tension when stretched to the length of these rods and the tension in the springs will tend to pull the two side frames and 12 toward each other and force the rods 25B, 23B and 3138 into compression. The action of the springs in tending to pull the two side frames together coupled with the action of the rods to keep the side frames apart will weld these components into one unitary structure.

Our device can then be positioned with respect to the washing machine 50 as depicted in FIG. 2 with the protruding end portion 24 of bar 18 extending slightly under the machine. The angle members 14 and 143 with resilient strips 40 and 40A thereon engage the forward portion 56 of the machine as it rests on supporting surface 58. 'The belt 42 can then be placed around the machine as depicted in FIG. 2 and the ends and 46 of the belt can be secured together by buckle 48 at a point in between the two handles 36 and 36A to tightly secure the washing machine to the cradle. The operator can then grasp the handles 36 and 36A and exert a turning force thereon in a direction away from the washing machine 54} which will cause the washing machine and the cradle to tip on the arcuate portion 22 of bar 18 so that the washing machine and the cradle will assume the position shown in FIG. 3. The operator can then have easy access to the rearward and bottom portions of the machine 50 to effect any maintenance effort. The arcuate portions 22 and 22A of the bars 18 and 18A are located away from the midpoint of the bars so that some lifting effort must be exerted on the handles 36 and 36A to move the machine to the upright position of FIG. 2 from the inclined position of FIG. 3. The cradle can be removed from the machine by releasing belt 42 therefrom and by withdrawing the ends 24 and 24A of bars 18 and 18A, respectively, from underneath the machine. The serviceman can then dismantle the cradle by reversing the above described assembly procedure. 7

Thus, it is seen that our device will accomplish at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of our collapsible cradle for automatic washers without departing from the real spirit and pure pose of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim:

1. In a device of the class described, two symmetrical side frames of the same substantial size and shape, each of said side frames being comprised of two elongated.

first and second frame members secured together by one of their respective ends and being substantially perpendicularly disposed to each other, a bar secured by one of its ends to the free end of said second frame member, the free end of said bar having an arcuate portion secured to the free end of said first frame member, said bar being completely straight except for said arcuate portion, a plurality of pairs of hollow sleeves secured to said side frames, said pairs of sleeves on said side frames being in axial alignment, elongated rods extending between said pairs of sleeves, said sleeves sli'dably receiving the ends of said rods, and means secured to said frames for detachably holding the ends of said rods within said sleeves.

2. In a device of the class described, two symmetrical side frames of the same substantial size and shape, each of said side frames being comprised of two elongated first and second frame members secured together by one of their respective ends and being substantially perpendicularly disposed to each other, a bar secured by one of its ends to the free end of said second frame member, the free end of said bar having an arcuate portion secured to the free end of said first frame member, said bar being completely straight except for said arcuate portion, a plurality of pairs of hollow sleeves secured to said side frames, said pairs of sleeves on said side frames being in axial alignment, elongated rods extending between said pairs of sleeves, said sleeves slidably receiving the ends of said rods, and spring means secured to said frames for detachably holding the ends of said rods within said sleeves.

3. In a device of the class described, two symmetrical side frames of the same substantial size and shape, each of said side frames being comprised of two elongated first and second frame members secured together by one of their respective ends and being substantially perpendicularly disposed to each other, a bar secured by one of its ends to the free end of said second frame member, the free end of said bar having an arcuate portion secured to the free end of said first frame member, said bar being completely straight except for said arcuate portion, a plurality of pairs of hollow sleeves secured to said side frames, said pairs of sleeves on said side frames being in axial alignment, elongated rods extending between said pairs of sleeves, said sleeves slidably receiving the ends of said rods, and at least one spring element secured by its respective ends to each of said side frames; said spring element being normally under tension to urge said side frames toward each other to maintain the ends of said rods within said'sleeves.

4. In a device of the class described, two symmetrical side frames of the same substantial size and shape, each of said side frames being comprised of two elongated first and second frame members secured together by one of their respective ends and being substantially perpendicularly disposed to each other, a bar secured by one of its ends to the free end of said second frame member, the

free end of said bar having an arcuate portion secured to the free end of said first frame member, said bar being completely straight except for said arcuate portion, a plurality of pairs of hollow sleeves secured to said side frames, said pairs of sleeves on said side frames being in axial alignment, elongated rods extending between said pairs of sleeves, said sleeves slidably receiving the ends of said rods, and at least one spring element secured by its respective ends to each of said side frames; said spring element being normally under tension to urge said side frames toward each other to maintain the ends of said rods within said sleeves; at lease one end of said spring element being detachably secured to its respective side frame.

5. In a device of the class described, two symmetrical side frames of the same substantial size and shape, each of said side frames being comprised of two elongated first and second frame members secured together by one of their respective ends and being substantially perpendicularly disposed to each other, a bar secured by one of its ends to the free end of said second frame member, the free end of said bar having an arcuate portion secured to the free end of said first frame member, said bar being completely ,straightexccpt for said arcuate portion, a' plurality of pairs of hollow sleeves secured to said side frames, said pairs of sleeves on said side frames being in axial alignment, elongated rods extending between said pairs of sleeves, said sleeves slidably receiving theends of said rods, means secured to said frames for detachably holding the ends of said rods within said 5 frames at a point adjacent the intersection between said first and second frame members.

6. In a device of the class described, two symmetrical side frames of the same substantial size and shap each of said side frames being comprised of two elongated first and second frame members secured together by @116 of their respective ends and being substantially perpendicularly disposed to each other, a bar secured by one of its ends to the free end of -said second frame member, the free end of said bar ljf'aving an arcnate portion secured to the free end of saigl first frame member, said bar being completely straight except for said arcuate porside frames, said pairs of sleeves on said side frames being in axial alignment, elongated rods extending between said pairs of sleeves, said sleeves slidai bly receiving the ends of said rods, a flexible belt securedto said side frames, and meanssecured to said frames foil detachably holding the endsof said rods within said sleeves.

Reference e cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Williams Dec. 15. i925 Suhan Feb. 18, 1958 

